STEM-ID Engineering: Cellphone Challenge

This resource, published by Georgia Tech Research Institute, features an engineering activity designed for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. In this activity, students work with partners to design a cell phone holder for their partner's phone using a 3D modeling software. Each student will have to come up with a design that meets their partner's requirements. At the end of the activity, the phone holders will be 3D printed and presented to the class. The activity "serves to introduce students to the steps of the engineering design process and to instill in them the importance of communication, documentation, and precise measurement in the creation of new products."

The activity is divided into six sections that last two to three weeks periods. The resource includes the following:

• An 18-page teacher's activity guide
• Presentation evaluation rubric
• Engineering design process poster
• A sheet imitating a request for design proposals
• A graphic organizer comparing pitch and concept
• A Shark Tank video demonstrating a sales pitch and a video providing context around engineering
• A worksheet for the Shark Tank video